How Patrick Mahomes’ season compares to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

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Sunday’s AFC Championship Game promises to be one of the most intriguing we’ve ever seen.

Over the years, Patrick Mahomes has built up his share of quarterback rivalries, the two most prominent being against Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.

We may see another good one brewing this weekend between two superstars who’ve never met in a postseason affair.

MVP Battle

Since Mahomes came into the league, he’s had to face several elite pivots in must-win games.

Mahomes and the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson have only faced each other four times historically, with the Chiefs pivot going 3-1.

Since this is the first time the two will square off in the playoffs, there’s not been much of a rivalry to speak of between the two.

However, the fact that last season’s MVP (Mahomes) will face this year’s likely MVP (Jackson) means there’s plenty of hype surrounding this game.

While Mahomes threw for over 500 more yards than Jackson in the regular season, the Ravens QB averaged 8.0 yards-per-attempt to Mahomes’ 7.0.

The notable difference between the two in the regular season was Lamar’s decision-making, tossing just seven interceptions, seven fewer than Mahomes.

The notable advantage Mahomes had was his Expected Points Average (EPA).

During the 2023 regular season, Jackson’s EPA was 84.0, while Mahomes came in at 92.1.

In the playoffs, Jackson’s EPA is at 11.5, while the Chiefs QB is at 17.4, though he’s played one more game.

During the regular season, both QBs were virtually equal in numerous categories.

Jackson’s 2023 QB rating per ESPN was 64.7, and Mahomes finished at 63.0.

The reigning league MVP and his likely successor are neck and neck in playoff stats.

Heading into the AFC Championship Game, Jackson’s QB rating is 93.9, first in the league, slightly ahead of Mahomes at 89.6.

Jackson’s EPA in passing in the playoffs is 4.8, while Mahomes is at 11.6.

Head to Head

When you examine the head-to-head numbers between these two quarterbacks closely, they each have a decisive edge in one category.

As you might expect, Lamar has put up significantly more rushing yards in his four games against the Chiefs than Mahomes versus the Ravens.

Jackson has 303 total yards on the ground in those meetings, with Mahomes only at 35.

Through the air, though, it’s the Chiefs QB with a significant edge.

Mahomes has 1,479 yards passing in those four encounters, nearly double Jackson’s numbers of 750, with the Chiefs QB tossing 12 touchdown passes to Lamar’s four.

They’ve both thrown two interceptions in those meetings, with Lamar tossing the only pick-six.

In those four games, Mahomes has a sparkling completion percentage of 71.8, with Jackson at 56.2.

However, Jackson has a much higher rushing average in four meetings with KC, totalling 6.4 yards per attempt compared to Mahomes’ 3.2.

While Mahomes has a 3-1 record versus Jackson, three of four meetings were decided by a single score.

None of these numbers matter come Sunday, but it should lead to a very even and fascinating encounter between the two.